France Loses One-Fifth of Nuclear Capacity as Heat, Drought and Jellyfish Disrupt Power Plants

France Loses One-Fifth of Nuclear Output

France on Wednesday recorded a more than 20 percent shortfall in nuclear power production capacity, a record deficit caused by drought, extreme heat and jellyfish blocking cooling systems. [4] Three atomic reactors have been taken out of operation because of low water levels during much of the summer. [5] The chief executive of France’s largest power company EDF has warned that the shutdowns will affect the company’s earnings and has accelerated an investment plan of 8.7 billion euro to adapt plants to higher temperatures. [5] On Wednesday nuclear output is expected to be limited by 7.3 gigawatt, around 12 percent of the entire reactor fleet. [5] Several reactors at a nuclear plant in northern France have been shut because a large number of jellyfish are blocking the pumps used for cooling. [5] The shortfall represents a more than 20 percent deficit in nuclear power production capacity and marks a record caused by environmentally related outages. [4]

Rhine Hits Historic Low in Germany

Low water levels in the Rhine at Kaub, Germany, have fallen to the lowest since records began in 1880. [5] On Wednesday the level stood at 10 centimeters and forecasts indicate it could drop as low as 9 centimeters by Saturday. [5] At this point the river is largely impassable at Kaub, rendering one of Europe’s main transport arteries from Switzerland to Rotterdam effectively unusable for shipping. [5] The record low threatens Germany’s economic growth by an estimated 0.3 percentage points according to bank ING, an amount that exceeds half the 0.5 percent growth projected by the German central bank for the year. [5] The situation follows the fifth heatwave of the summer across Europe and has already forced power plants to reduce or halt output in multiple countries. [5]

Nuclear and Coal Plants Threatened Across Central Europe

Hungary’s Paks nuclear plant, which supplies nearly half the country’s electricity, came within millimeters of full shutdown due to critically low Danube water levels before a slight rise allowed operations to continue. [5] The plant had not faced a complete closure in 44 years, and Prime Minister Péter Magyar stated on Tuesday that the facility was only a few millimeters from shutting down entirely. [5] Romania’s Cernavoda nuclear plant risks full shutdown as early as Thursday, with one reactor already taken offline in July. [5] Authorities have used explosives to remove parts of the riverbed and sunk four barges filled with stone in the Danube to redirect water toward the cooling systems. [5] Poland’s Kozienice and Połaniec coal plants reduced or halted output due to insufficient cooling water from the Vistula River, removing 1.3 GW from the grid. [5] Prime Minister Donald Tusk has asked employers to provide cooled premises and cold water for workers. [5]

Electricity Prices Spike in Multiple Markets

Electricity prices in Germany, France and eastern Denmark surged more than 20 percent, exceeding 5 kroner per kWh at peak times. [5] The average daily price in Germany rose 21.8 percent on Wednesday while the French price increased 22.8 percent. [5] Peak prices above 5 kroner per kilowatt hour were recorded between 19:45 and 20:00 in eastern Denmark, Germany and France according to data from the Nord Pool exchange. [5] The price surge coincides with a solar eclipse on Wednesday evening and low wind generation in Germany, compounding the effects of reduced output from nuclear and coal plants across the continent. [5] The fifth heatwave of the summer has driven the simultaneous strain on multiple energy sources. [5]

Switzerland Avoids Crisis Declaration

The Swiss government has stopped short of declaring a state of emergency due to the ongoing drought and heatwave. [3] The situation can currently be managed with existing structures, the government says. [3] Federal Council spokesperson Nicole Lamon told media on Wednesday in Bern that the government is in dialogue with the cantons and other authorities to analyse the situation on a regular basis. [3] Government ministers discussed the consequences of the extreme heatwave during a meeting on Wednesday, yet concluded there is currently no need to declare a state of emergency. [3] The cantons therefore take the lead in dealing with the consequences of the weather while the federal government supports them within the framework of legal requirements. [3] The agricultural sector has been particularly hard hit, and the relevant Department of Economic Affairs has already taken several measures in recent weeks. [3] The Federal Council will reassess the situation shortly. [3]

Local Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Illinois

At 846 AM CDT a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Bureau County, Illinois, with storms located along a line extending from West Brooklyn to Triumph to near Lostant and moving east at 50 mph. [1] The hazard includes 60 mph wind gusts, with expected damage to roofs, siding and trees. [1] Locations impacted include Princeton, Hennepin, Spring Valley, Henry, DePue, Granville, Ladd, La Moille, Dalzell, Bureau Junction, McNabb, Putnam, Mark, Cherry, Malden, Seatonville, Magnolia, Standard, Arlington and Dover. [1] At 845 AM CDT a separate severe thunderstorm warning covered La Salle County with a line of storms extending from Sublette to Mendota to Troy Grove to LaSalle moving east at 45 mph. [2] The hazard includes 70 mph wind gusts, with the strongest gusts expected near and north of Interstate 80 and considerable tree damage likely along with damage to mobile homes, roofs and outbuildings. [2] The storms will be near La Salle, Mendota, Oglesby, North Utica and Tonica around 850 AM CDT. [2]

What to watch next: Cernavoda may reach full shutdown as early as Thursday while Rhine levels at Kaub could fall further to 9 centimeters by Saturday, and the Swiss Federal Council will reassess the heatwave and drought situation shortly.